Chapter 1236: Tongue Blossoms Like a Lotus, Angrily Denounces the Entire Scene

Not to mention Rao Yaoyao.

At that moment, gazing at the figure of Can Yue Xian Cheng’s senior brother appearing on the horizon, that big-mouthed individual disguised as the Eighth Sword Immortal was completely flustered. He even forgot to keep up the finer details of his disguise, his eyes losing their earlier haze and instead brimming with intense shock.

He hadn’t been this shocked even when Rao Yaoyao had bluntly exposed his true identity!

From his clothing, to his demeanor, his appearance, and his mannerisms… this suddenly appearing “Xiao Kong Dong” was an exact match to the “me” in his own memory.

That sigh, moreover, represented Can Yue Xian Cheng, sighing out Xiao Kong Dong’s greatest helplessness at that time.

“Is he a Jian Nian incarnation?”

Xiao Kong Dong pondered in his heart, his thoughts surging like wild waves in the Qi Sea.

He even suspected that this person was his own Jian Nian incarnation, the one he had dispatched earlier to step in and save the situation at a critical moment.

The only issue was that the entire process related to “dispatching” it had been completely forgotten by him.

Yet the truth was otherwise!

The silver Jian Nian figure was still hanging in the Qi Sea, and the “Xiao Kong Dong” across from him was definitely not a Jian Nian incarnation!

So, who could he be?

In a flash of lightning-fast thoughts, Xiao Kong Dong glanced out of the corner of his eye toward someone behind him.

“Xu Xiao Shou?”

But Xu Xiao Shou was still standing next to Yi Ren Mister.

His expression was one of utter astonishment, his gaze sweeping back and forth between himself and the newcomer several times.

What he showed was clearly that he had previously suspected the Eighth Sword Immortal on site was Xiao Kong Dong, so he was baffled by the sudden appearance of another Xiao Kong Dong. There wasn’t a single flaw in his performance!

“But it’s definitely this kid who’s up to something…”

Recalling the earlier situation where a fake Kong Yu Hen and the real Xu Xiao Shou had appeared together, Xiao Kong Dong felt relieved.

After all, in the whole world, only Xiao Kong Dong and Xu Xiao Shou could impersonate the Eighth Sword Immortal.

And the only one who could impersonate Xiao Kong Dong was Xu Xiao Shou—Ba Zun An wouldn’t stoop to that!

“You kid, whatever you’re doing, don’t go too far.”

“My Can Yue Xian Cheng isn’t something for you to rely on for your mischief—it’s got no room for error…”

Having figured everything out, Xiao Kong Dong’s heart was filled with worry.

He could only keep reassuring himself that, based on Xu Xiao Shou’s past behavior, he was trustworthy.

At the very least, he probably wouldn’t joke around with the lives of countless ancient sword cultivators from Can Yue Xian Cheng.

On Xu Kong Dao, there were countless others equally stunned and bewildered.

If Rao Yaoyao’s earlier shout of “Xiao Kong Dong” at the Eighth Sword Immortal had been a huge surprise to everyone,

Then this abruptly appearing “Xiao Kong Dong” had thoroughly muddled their thoughts into a chaotic mess.

“The Eighth Sword Immortal isn’t the Eighth Sword Immortal, but Can Yue Xian Cheng’s senior brother… The senior brother is right here, fighting Rao Jian Sheng, and he has Jian Nian, but now another one shows up… He’s him, he’s him, so who is he?”

“I’m totally lost. I believed in Rao Jian Sheng, but now I feel like Rao Jian Sheng might be confused… No! It’s definitely me who’s got it wrong!”

“I told you so! The Eighth Sword Immortal is fine. I watched the Ten Zun Seats battle back in the day, and that’s exactly his style—free-spirited, defiant, and untamed!”

“Yes, but he ‘fell’ once back then, so he’s probably weakened now. Rao Jian Sheng said he’s sealed his sword, so it’s understandable that he can’t fight for the time being.”

“So you’re all thinking that way? Then does that mean this second senior brother is the real one?”

“Ah, well, I can’t agree with that.”

Familiar faces and strangers on Xu Kong Dao gathered in groups, buzzing with discussion.

Among them were some fervent worshippers of the Eighth Sword Immortal. Their inner faith had been shaken earlier, leaving them disheartened, but now with the situation taking a dramatic turn, they realized they hadn’t been wrong after all. In the midst of various debates, astonishing remarks flew left and right. This only left Rao Yaoyao, who was temporarily short-circuiting in mid-air and trying to piece together some clues from the crowd’s chatter, even more baffled.

“Under suspicion, passive value: 121.”

“Under attention, passive value: 1922.”

“Under discussion, passive value: 847.”

With just one appearance, the information panel popped up wildly.

If the entry threshold to Xu Kong Dao hadn’t been so high, blocking out ninety-nine percent of the mainland’s Ling Lian Shi,

Xu Xiao Shou knew this wave of identity-swapping would have easily netted him over ten thousand passive points.

What a pity—now he could only harvest a bit of small fry…

But there was no time at the scene for him to dwell on regrets.

Using his second true body to replace himself, disguising his true body as Xiao Kong Dong, and making a stunning entrance with Disappearing Technique plus One Step to Heaven.

This audacious sleight of hand, Xu Xiao Shou only dared to try it in front of Rao Yaoyao, banking on Xiao Kong Dong being clever enough to quickly see through everything and play along.

If Er Hao had been there, or if Yan Wu Se were still conscious, Xu Xiao Shou wouldn’t have let his true body show up again.

He was afraid of dying.

But to break free, he had to give it his all in this performance.

Oh well, let’s just say it’s for farming passive values—though this method is way too thrilling!

“You…”

In the midst of the battle, Rao Yaoyao looked at “Xiao Kong Dong,” then glanced at “Ba Zun An,” her gaze chaotic, and the direction of her Xuan Cang Shen Jian losing its previous resolve.

“I haven’t had a chance to congratulate you yet, Rao Jian Xian… oh, no, now it’s Rao Jian Sheng.”

Xu Xiao Shou, taking on Xiao Kong Dong’s refined appearance, bowed his head in respect, adopting the perfect demeanor of a junior, and said:

“Congratulations on Rao Jian Sheng’s successful ascension to Sainthood. I, on behalf of all ancient sword cultivators of Can Yue Xian Cheng, extend our most sincere greetings.”

After speaking, without pausing, he turned to that “Ba Zun An” who was already on Rao Yaoyao’s suspect list, let out a cold laugh, and shifted his tone:

“I never doubt Rao Jian Sheng’s judgment.”

“But if you’re trying to smear Can Yue Xian Cheng like this, at least we ancient sword cultivators of Can Yue Xian Cheng absolutely cannot agree, and we couldn’t bear it.”

“Because based on my understanding of my teacher, he wouldn’t teach a disciple who’s so sneaky and evasive, even if it were just a nominal one.”

“And if I, Xiao Kong Dong, needed to use my teacher’s appearance for some underhanded deeds, my teacher should be the first to show up and clean house.”

“Of course, that wouldn’t require Rao Jian Sheng to lift a finger.”

The crowd on Xu Kong Dao heard this and couldn’t help but nod. It made sense—what with the Eighth Sword Immortal’s defiant nature, how could he accept a cowardly impostor as a disciple?

So from this angle, even if the Eighth Sword Immortal in the battlefield was fake, he absolutely couldn’t be impersonated by Can Yue Xian Cheng’s senior brother. This newly appeared Xiao Kong Dong was upright and imposing, carrying a third of the Eighth Sword Immortal’s once-overbearing arrogance—his words were worth listening to!

Rao Yaoyao was also swayed by this argument.

She had a gut feeling that something still wasn’t quite right, but for the moment, she couldn’t pinpoint it, so she decided to stop searching and just observe.

The only one truly angered by these words was Ba Zun An. Not only was the current Ba Zun An supposed to be furious about his identity being questioned, but the real Xiao Kong Dong was also scolded by Xu Xiao Shou’s indirect barbs, leaving him red-faced and furious.

Was he doing this on purpose?

Or was it unavoidable for the sake of the role? But he knows I’m the real Xiao Kong Dong, and he’s not giving me any face—slamming me like this.

If my identity really gets exposed later, where will I put my face?

Ba Zun An stroked his chin with his fingers, a flash of irritation crossing his face. But at this point, he had no choice but to follow Xu Xiao Shou’s rhythm. He immediately shook his head with a wry laugh:

“You’re quite interesting.”

“When I passed you the sword back then, it wasn’t so you could stand up now and accuse me.”

“Xiao Kong Dong” found it amusing and shot back: “Interesting?”

“You’re out here playing tricks with my teacher’s face, and you can’t even handle one sword from Rao Jian Sheng, ruining my teacher’s reputation and image—that’s what you call interesting?”

“In that case, you’re really, truly, interesting.”

Good one, Xu Xiao Shou!

Xiao Kong Dong nearly couldn’t suppress the anger in his heart and almost rushed out to grab Xu Xiao Shou’s ear for a beating.

He’d heard of this sharp-tongued guy before, but it was always the Sheng Shen Hall that got stung, and Xiao Kong Dong had enjoyed watching.

Today, he was experiencing it firsthand.

Clearly, they were both still in their second-layer identities, but how was this kid’s tongue so sharp? “Silver-tongued” didn’t even begin to describe it!

On the surface, he was tearing into the fake Ba Zun An, but underneath, he was jabbing at the real Xiao Kong Dong, belittling his combat strength.

What a guy.

This was the epitome of insinuation—pointing at one while meaning another.

Ba Zun An narrowed his eyes, as if provoked by this young upstart, and scolded: “You sharp-tongued brat, is this how you repay me?”

“Repay?”

“Ha ha ha ha, you shady fraud who crawled out of nowhere, daring to impersonate my teacher and talk about repayment?”

“I’ve seen and cut down too many like you!”

“Xiao Kong Dong” threw his head back in laughter, genuinely amused by the fake Ba Zun An’s words, tears welling in his eyes.

Finally, he lowered his head and said seriously:

“Yes, my teacher only taught me sword for a day, didn’t take me as a formal disciple, and I’ve heard nothing from him since.”

“But everything I, Xiao Kong Dong, have achieved today is because of him alone!”

“In my heart, my teacher is the noblest and most sacred in the world. Even though Can Yue Xian Cheng and the Sheng Nu stand on different sides now, I still remember my teacher’s kindness and would never raise a hand against him.”

“Xiao Kong Dong” swept his gaze around, glancing over Rao Yaoyao’s face without lingering, then suddenly straightened up, his presence overwhelming, and declared:

“A teacher I recognize is like a father to me!”

“But you fake, how dare you devour my filial piety?”

This resounding, heroic, heartfelt declaration exploded in everyone’s ears.

The content alone was piercingly on point, and combined with its earth-shaking aura, it made people’s scalps tingle.

Not only did it voice Xiao Kong Dong’s own heartfelt sentiments, making him feel as if he’d met a kindred spirit, his thoughts surging—he was so moved that he forgot they were still in opposing roles and had no response.

Even Rao Yaoyao, standing nearby, listened with a flush of shame, feeling deeply embarrassed.

“A teacher I recognize is like a father to me…”

Xiao Kong Dong dared to say this because he truly lived by it! He had acknowledged Ba Zun An as his master, even if only for a day, and for the rest of his life, he lived for that.

Waging wars everywhere, changing “Dong Yue Jie” to “Ba Zun Jie”; spreading his master’s name, teaching sword techniques far and wide, establishing Can Yue Xian Cheng, making the entire Jian Shen Tian honor his master Ba Zun An as the top figure under the Sword God.

“And what about me?”

Rao Yaoyao asked herself.

Mei Yi Ren had enlightened her in swordsmanship, not just for a day, but for three full days!

Yet in the end, not only did she fail to honor her teacher, but right here and now, she had drawn her sword against him, on the verge of committing the ultimate betrayal!

If not for that earlier remark from “Ba Zun An,” Rao Yaoyao might not have even realized that Mei Yi Ren had gone so far as to mock her to help her let go of her grudges.

“I’m ashamed to call myself human…”

Rao Yaoyao’s fair face turned red with shame, her head drooping as if weighed down, not even daring to glance sideways at her enlightening master.

“A teacher I recognize is like a father to me…”

In the distance, Mei Yi Ren murmured the line, feeling utterly content, truly wanting to throw his head back and laugh three times to express his joy.

Unlike outsiders who had to guess to verify the authenticity of this “Xiao Kong Dong,” Mei Yi Ren had sensed something off and immediately connected with the “Tong Fu Wen.”

Without a doubt, the “Tong Fu Wen” pointed straight to this second Xiao Kong Dong.

In other words, he was really Xu Xiao Shou in disguise!

Just like with Kong Yu Hen before, Xu Xiao Shou was staying by his side while stirring things up with a second identity.

And with his identity fully confirmed, that impassioned line “A teacher I recognize is like a father to me”…

Whether interpreted as “the teacher I recognized” or “the one who taught me, Xu Xiao Shou,” it all boiled down to the same meaning.

Xu Xiao Shou was truly a man of gratitude and repayment!

Perhaps this was the very reason he had desperately cultivated and shouldered heavy burdens for Sheng Nu Wu Xiu.

Mei Yi Ren felt no jealousy, only contentment.

Even if Xu Xiao Shou shouted this line borrowing Xiao Kong Dong’s identity, Mei Yi Ren felt that this trip to Xu Kong Dao had been worth it.

A lifetime of teaching sword, traversing heavens and seas, to have a disciple like this—what more could he ask?

The Ling Lian Shi across the entire island were equally immersed in this bold and forthright declaration, unable to snap out of it for a long time.

To shout something so stirring, even without drawing a sword, had almost completely dispelled ninety-nine percent of the doubts about this “second Xiao Kong Dong’s” identity.

Even the fervent worshippers of the Eighth Sword Immortal now believed that this second Xiao Kong Dong was real, the Eighth Sword Immortal was fake, but not Xiao Kong Dong—just someone else impersonating him.

“You kid…”

Regaining his composure from the surge of emotions, the real Xiao Kong Dong let out a long breath, utterly admiring Xu Xiao Shou.

What should have been an inseparable “impostor standoff” had been shattered into pieces with just a few words from him.

Now, even Xiao Kong Dong himself felt that his impersonation of his teacher was so fake—it only captured the form, not the essence.

If he hadn’t known he was the real Xiao Kong Dong, he might have believed the one opposite, played by Xu Xiao Shou, was himself.

More than that, with the line “A teacher I recognize is like a father to me,” he had struck at the heart, strongly condemning Rao Yaoyao, who had just been on the verge of drawing her sword against her teacher after her red dust trials.

Looking at Mei Yi Ren on the side, with his face full of smiles and constantly fanning himself, Xiao Kong Dong could read that Mei Yi Ren had received Xu Xiao Shou’s most sincere expression of gratitude.

Mei Yi Ren said nothing, but he said everything. That fan that once read “Are you stupid?” had somehow been replaced with “The young one is teachable.”

And most crucially, Xu Xiao Shou had shouted this line as if it were his own!

Xiao Kong Dong was at a loss for words to describe Xu Xiao Shou’s mastery of language.

If ancient sword techniques had a highest realm, it would surely be the heart-piercing “verbal swordplay.”

Look at this—Rao Yaoyao could never fight Mei Yi Ren now.

And if there were a supreme award for “verbal swordplay” in the world, Xiao Kong Dong would present it on the spot to this guy who had perfected “insinuation” and “double meanings,” without a second’s hesitation.

He mumbled to himself a few times, about to speak, but felt ashamed.

Still, to keep up the act, Xiao Kong Dong had to continue with his teacher’s face and scold: “You wretched one, what are you trying to do!”

“Still pretending?”

With just one word and a look from Xu Xiao Shou, Xiao Kong Dong was left awkwardly wanting to curl his toes.

Then, the upright “Xiao Kong Dong” let out a cold laugh, turned back to Rao Yaoyao with a fist salute, and said:

“Rao Jian Sheng, I won’t trouble you with this sneaky rat.”

“And you can stop smearing Can Yue Xian Cheng. I’ll handle this person for you!”